Child Support in Thurston County: A 2026 Guide
Understanding child support in Thurston County, Washington requires navigating both uniform state law and specific local court procedures. As the seat of Washington State government in Olympia, Thurston County is uniquely positioned where the laws governing child support are written. Under Washington's Revised Code (RCW 26.19), child support obligations are calculated using an Income Shares Model, a methodology designed to ensure that children receive a level of financial support proportionate to what they would have enjoyed if their parents had remained together.
In 2026, the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) updated the mandatory child support economic tables that all Thurston County courts must use. These tables cap at a combined monthly net income of $50,000 and set a firm Self-Support Reserve (SSR) of approximately $2,394 per month. A critical poverty-protection threshold that prevents courts from issuing orders that would impoverish the paying parent.